Case for transporting and organizing medication
A carrying case for carrying and organizing medication is disclosed. The carrying case comprises a first compartment and second compartment, with the first and second compartments relatively foldable along a common fold line between an open position and a closed position. The first and second compartments are disposed in face-to-face relationship when the first and second compartments are in the closed position. A plurality of slots are defined in at least one of the compartments, and a plurality of inserts are provided. Each of the inserts is sized for insertion into a corresponding one of the slots, with each of the inserts having at least one closeable chamber. A divider panel is provided, with the divider panel mounted for shiftable movement between a folded position in which the divider panel is disposed over at least one of the compartments and an unfolded position in which the divider panel permits access to the at least one compartment.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/294,167, filed May 29, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to carrying cases. More specifically, the present invention relates to a carrying case that permits medication, such as prescription medication, and/or vitamins or supplements, to be transported in bulk and to be organized into discrete dosages.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany people must take a number of prescription medications on a daily basis. In fact, many people must take multiple doses of a number of different medications every day. The task of organizing and tracking the daily doses is often daunting. This task is made even more difficult by the fact that some of the medications must be taken, for example, one time per day, while other medications must be taken two, three, or more times per day. Of course, care must be taken not to miss a dose or duplicate a dose. Organizing and tracking vitamins and supplements present the same problems.
It is one thing to organize and track various medications, vitamins, and/or supplements at home. However, much of this organization may fall by the wayside when a person travels, as people often just throw all of their medications into a bag. Another problem is presented by the fact that many people see more than one doctor, each of which has or will prescribe different medications. In order to protect against drug interaction, a doctor must know about all of the medications a patient is taking, and in what doses. In many circumstances, patients may not recall with a great deal of accuracy all of the medications they may be taking, and in what doses. The foregoing concerns are merely exemplary.
The following description of the disclosed embodiment is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the precise form or forms detailed herein. Instead, the following description is intended to be illustrative of the principles of the invention so that others may follow its teachings.
Referring now to the drawings, a portable medicine organizing and carrying case assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is generally referred to by the reference numeral 10. As shown in
A closing device 26 (
Referring again to
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The slotted member 38 includes a plurality of slots 42, which in the disclosed embodiment are substantially identical. Although in the illustrated device 10, seven slots 42 are provided, they are identical and, thus, only a single one of the slots 42 will be described in detail. The slot 42 includes a bottom wall 44 and a plurality of surrounding sidewalls 46a, 46b, 46c and 46d. Alternatively, depending on the depth of the slotted member 38, the bottom wall 44 may be defined by a portion of the bottom wall 20 of the second compartment 14. Each of the slots 42 is sized to receive a pill insert 48. Each of the pill inserts 48 includes a plurality of sidewalls 48a-48d. In
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Preferably, each insert 48 (or each individual chamber 52) will have indicia 66 (
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Optional clear or translucent flexible flaps 139 (
As shown in
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The slotted member 138 includes a plurality of slots 142, which in the disclosed embodiment are substantially identical. In the embodiment of
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An optional pen or other writing instrument may be provided. The pen (not shown) may be conveniently attached to any available surface in the carrying case disclosed herein such as by, for example, a hook and loop closure mechanism, an elastic strap, a pocket, or by any other suitable means of attachment.
From the foregoing, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the disclosed device provides a system for transporting and organizing medication. By virtue of this system, all medication and medical information can be transported to, for example, a treating physician's office, an emergency room, or the like, thereby providing the treating physician, paramedics, or any other health care provider with information concerning the patient's treatment and minimizing the likelihood of over medicating the patient and/or providing the patient with conflicting medications. The disclosed system also provides a reminding mechanism wherein pills are organized into dosages for specific periods thereby facilitating proper following of medication treatment plans. At the same time, the disclosed system provides a convenient storage facility for bulk medications, whether they are in pill, liquid, powder, or gel form.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, although the teachings of the invention have been illustrated in connection with certain embodiments, there is no intent to limit the scope of this patent to such embodiments. On the contrary, the intention of this patent is to cover all modifications and embodiments fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
1. A carrying case for carrying and organizing medication, the carrying case comprising:
- a first compartment having a first depth;
- a second compartment having a second depth shallower than the first depth of the first compartment, the second compartment having a plurality of parallel slots formed in a foam member, the first and second compartments hinged connected together on a first side of the case and shiftable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position, the first and second compartments disposed in confronting relationship when the first and second compartments are in the closed position;
- seven inserts, each of the inserts being removably insertable into a corresponding one of the slots of the second compartment, each of the inserts being divided into a plurality of individual chambers, each of the individual chambers having a separate openable lid, and wherein each of the inserts includes indicia thereon corresponding to a day of the week; and
- a divider panel hingedly connected to the first compartment on a second side of the case opposite the first side of the case, the divider panel having first and second faces, at least one of the first and second faces being adapted to receive written information, the divider panel mounted for shiftable movement between a folded position in which the divider panel is disposed over the first compartment, and an unfolded position in which the divider panel permits access to the first compartment, the divider panel helping to maintain each insert in its corresponding slot when the first and second compartments are in the closed position.
2. The carrying case of claim 1, including a closing mechanism engaging each of the first and second compartments for maintaining the first and second compartments in the closed position.
3. The carrying case of claim 2, wherein the closing device is a zipper.
4. The carrying case of claim 1, including a support disposed in the first compartment, the support supporting the divider panel when the divider panel is in the folded position.
5. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein the divider panel is maintained in the folded position by a hook and loop closure.
6. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein each of the chambers includes indicia thereon corresponding to a time interval during the day.
7. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein at least one of the chambers includes an internal slot, and including a wall removably received in the internal slot, the wall diving the chamber into a pair of subchambers.
8. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein the foam member is removable.
9. The carrying case of claim 8, wherein the slots of the foam member and the inserts are sized so that the inserts are frictionally received in the slots.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Apr 30, 2002
Date of Patent: Feb 1, 2005
Patent Publication Number: 20020179609
Inventor: Richard Cohen (Arlington Heights, IL)
Primary Examiner: Joseph C. Merek
Attorney: Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP
Application Number: 10/135,660